CHAPTER 414: CHAPTER 413

Beisitian attended the first school exchange competition, and Tian Zhi performed excellently. He calmly categorized and displayed images of various herbs on stage.

Beisitian observed that this competition was likely at its final stage. The students on stage were the top from their schools, making the difficulty much higher. The organizers included many rare traditional Chinese herbs, which troubled many students.

Not only did they include rare herbs, but they also grouped many with almost identical effects, where some differences lay in just a few words. Many students struggled with this.

Tian Zhi performed very well, only pausing slightly on the challenging parts before making the correct choices, and Beisitian nodded slightly, acknowledging the solid foundation he indeed possessed!

Beisitian thought that if he was willing to put in the effort, he might become a Mystic Doctor before the age of thirty!

As for Wei Zhongxun, who couldn’t even perform the Spiritual Talisman, she couldn’t recognize him as a Mystic Doctor, only someone with some talisman making skills.

For this exchange competition, as Beisitian called it, each school sent out eight students, totaling sixteen. From these, the top three—best, excellent, and good—would be chosen, making the competition very fierce.

The reward for the top three was very enticing to the participants. The first prize included a recommendation to the Capital Medical Research Institute, a dream destination for all Chinese medicine practitioners, symbolizing strength and proving one’s identity.

However, Beisitian learned that the Institute was divided into two parts, one open to the public and the other not. The acclaimed one wasn’t open to the public, and the recommendation was for the open institution, namely the Affiliated Hospital of the Chinese Medicine Research Institute.

Despite the difference, bearing the name of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute was still stronger than most places. As they were already in their third year of college and nearing graduation, who wouldn’t give it more thought?

The second and third prizes were also substantial but nowhere near as tempting as the first prize.

"Your cousin is impressive; his foundation would make him a promising talent even in the Wei Family!" Wei Zhongxun said as he looked at Tian Zhi with eyes aglow.

Beisitian cast a glance at Wei Zhongxun, who insisted on coming along, and frowned when she saw his expression, "What are you thinking?"

Wei Zhongxun chuckled, "He’s from the Tian Family, right? Why not let him join the Wei Family? Although we work on a family basis, we also have some external hires. With good training, this kid could definitely become... ahem!" He almost mentioned the word "Mystic Doctor" but caught himself in time, remembering they were not alone.

Beisitian’s face darkened. Wei Zhongxun needed her help, yet he was openly trying to poach talent from her, dreaming of her agreeing to save someone under these circumstances!

Wei Zhongxun was oblivious to this, thinking that since Tian Zhi was from the Tian Family, which was Beisitian’s relative, he would be doing Beisitian a favor!

It was known that becoming an external doctor for the Wei Family required overcoming various challenges, often without success!

The competition would eliminate half of the participants, and Tian Zhi advanced without any suspense.

After the competition was a free activity period. Before the next competition, students could move freely as they were university students, and the school didn’t impose many restrictions.

Tian Zhi left the school hall and saw Beisitian not far away. He quickly walked over, "Cousin!"

Beisitian smiled and looked over, "You did well, I noticed hardly any mistakes."

Tian Zhi scratched his head shyly but was pleased to be praised. His gaze fell on the man next to him, whom he didn’t recognize.

"His name is Wei Zhongxun, and he’s working on the same task with Grandpa and others," Beisitian hinted without elaborating.

Tian Zhi understood. That task was confidential, so he wouldn’t ask more. However, since this person participated in that task, why did he come to Anding City?

He’s quick to think and immediately realized this.

"Do you have time at noon? Let’s have lunch together?" Wei Zhongxun looked at Tian Zhi and asked.

Tian Zhi inadvertently looked at Beisitian. This person seemed overly familiar. Beisitian glanced at Wei Zhongxun and said, "Xiao Zhi is here with the school, there’s no time for lunch with us, right, Xiao Zhi?"

"Uh, yes, that’s right..." Actually, he did have time for lunch, as lunch wasn’t provided, only a meal allowance that was reimbursed afterward, so they needed to arrange their own lunch.

Wei Zhongxun gave an awkward smile, wondering why Beisitian seemed displeased.

Beisitian: You’re always trying to poach talent from me, how could I be happy!

With no better reason to stay close to Beisitian, Wei Zhongxun had to leave.

After Wei Zhongxun left, Beisitian smiled at Tian Zhi, "What do you say, want to have lunch at my place?"

Tian Zhi looked sympathetically in the direction Wei Zhongxun left and then said, "I won’t go, Cousin, I have two classmates with me."

"Then bring them along."

Tian Zhi felt a bit embarrassed. It was already troublesome enough for Beisitian with just him, let alone bringing two more along.

However, as Beisitian insisted, Tian Zhi couldn’t refuse too much and had to invite two of his friends, secretly warning them to behave and not joke around.

Lu Tao and Li Yong agreed cheerfully. Did they not have a sense of what was appropriate, accepting an invitation for food without joking?

They registered at the military gate, and Beisitian led them inside. The three had never entered a military base, curious about everything, especially seeing soldiers in uniform; their expressions turned solemn.

They passed by training grounds from a distance and saw soldiers training in artificially created obstacles, staring intently from a distance.

Beisitian didn’t rush them, quietly standing by and waiting.

She had watched for a long time when she first arrived, seeing the soldiers’ sweat and blood shed for the country’s safety. These young men, full of passion, surely felt something seeing this?

Lu Tao and Li Yong became serious, respecting the soldiers rolling in the mud and crawling under barbed wire, dripping with sweat even in the winter cold.

"Let’s go."

When they had watched enough, Beisitian reminded them.

The three no longer had the easygoing curiosity they had when they first entered, walking towards the family quarters with respect in their eyes.

Beisitian asked them to sit for a bit in the small room before she went to the kitchen. The ingredients were ready; she just had to start cooking.

The three sat in the small outer room, not big but without any sense of disdain.

They knew that family members lived with those ranked above regiment leader, or those who had made significant contributions!